In November, five SUNY Oswego technology management and technology education students traveled to Las Vegas to learn, make connections and explore opportunities at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show, an automotive trade event that features more than 2,600 exhibitors and thousands of industry professionals from around the world.

Led by technology professor Ronald Alexander, the group spent the week exploring new technologies, meeting industry leaders and discovering new career opportunities –- with some already drawing interest for jobs after graduation. 

The SEMA show is an exclusive conference not open to the general public, making the experience especially meaningful for students eager to explore the automotive field and further support their professional goals. Alexander said the conference offers opportunities students cannot find anywhere else. 

“This isn’t just a big car show,” Alexander said. “It’s the person you’re talking to at the booth who might be an owner, a hiring manager, or an HR representative. There’s a huge need in the industry for students with the skills we teach at Oswego.”

Throughout the week, students attended industry breakfasts, educational seminars and Future Leaders Network events aimed at connecting young professionals with employers. Beyond that, Alexander estimates they walked an average of 10 to 12 miles today across the conference’s convention halls, meeting and networking with manufacturers, designers, engineers and innovators shaping the future of automotive work. 

Inspiration and connections

For technology education major David Bender, the chance to attend felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and he left feeling inspired by the thousands of companies demonstrating new tools and innovations, making professional connections he never expected.

“My career goal is to be a high school auto shop teacher, and SEMA is the kind of experience that completely changes how you think about education,” he said. “I met with big-name companies like Edelbrock, Holley Performance and Wilwood Disk Brake. Some offered to send me free product samples to use as teaching aids in my future classroom,”

Technology management major Deury Espinal said the trip was equally transformative, as working with automotives has always been a lifelong passion.  

“I’ve always had a strong passion for the automotive industry, and it’s the field I want to build my career in,” he said. “SEMA has always been one of those dream events you see online but never expect to attend as a student.”

Espinal was especially impacted by the Future Leaders networking seminar, where employers discussed recruitment needs and industry trends.

“That event alone made the whole trip worth it,” Espinal said. “They talked openly about how fast the automotive world is changing, how businesses are adapting, and how badly companies need young professionals with technical and technology backgrounds.”

Students also had the opportunity to engage with hands-on skill booths, where they competed against a robotic welding system to see who could weld a pre-set welding path the fastest. Alexander said this activity captured both the excitement and educational value of the show. One student even beat the robot and got to keep the welding sample. 

Technology education major Anthony Amitrano described SEMA as a turning point in how he views the industry. 

“Attending a professional trade show completely changed the way I see the automotive field,” he said. “It made me realize how big, fast-moving and innovative the industry really is.”

For Amitrano, a standout moment was meeting well-known builders and creators, people he had only previously seen on screen.

“I would say the most memorable part of the trip was meeting so many different people from across the car industry,” Amitrano said. “Getting the chance to meet Dave Kindig, Jeff Lutz, David Freiburger, Richard Rawlings, Adam LZ, the team from Count’s Kustoms, Speed Freeks, Chip Foose, and so many others who inspire me to work on cars and projects was an unforgettable experience.” 

A common theme throughout each student’s experience was the confidence they had gained from speaking with industry professionals, something Alexander was proud to see happen in real time. 

“At first, students hesitated to approach people, but by the end of the week, they were initiating conversations with employers and making strong impressions,” he said. 

Finding job opportunities

He added that several students have already been contacted about internships or job opportunities based on conversations from the trip, with some students already having interviews and job offers lined up by the time they came back to Oswego. 

Looking ahead, Alexander hopes to make the trip an annual opportunity for technology students. He believes the hands-on experiences and professional exposure are invaluable. 

“A lot of students weren’t aware of the different opportunities in the automotive aftermarket,” he said. “They came away in awe that these positions were available, and it’s something they would definitely qualify for once they finish their program at Oswego.”

That enthusiasm was shared by students as well, with Bender encouraging others to take advantage of the opportunity if offered again. 

“Do it,” he said. “The number of opportunities this show offers is insurmountable. The amazing people I met that I never would’ve dreamed of seeing otherwise, the phenomenal products I got to see unveiled, and the chance to embark on a trip like this made it all worth it.”